13 last-minute beauty and lifestyle gift ideas for those who still haven’t done any holiday shopping

    1 of 14 2 of 14

      We get it—the holiday madness can be overwhelming and some of us don’t have time to browse and shop for gifts until the very last minute.

      Since the day of opening presents (Christmas, December 25) is quickly approaching, we thought it would be suitable to round-up a non-exhaustive list of gift ideas for those who are still scrambling to put something under the tree for family and friends.

      From beauty products to fashion apparel, and from travel gear to lifestyle goods, here’s our festive gift guide for last-minute shoppers.

      Fresh Beauty

      Get Glowing

      For the ones who always like to look their best, default to some beauty products that will help them with a glowing complexion. Fresh has created several holiday gift sets this season, which feature its signature products like tinted lip treatments, soy-face cleanser, lotus youth preserve face cream, and rose face mask. The red-and-blue sets are decked out with holiday motifs and ribbons, and basically don’t need any extra wrapping. Find them at Sephora (various locations) or on its website.

      Charlotte Tilbury

      Sometimes we want an extra sparkle for the holiday festivities, and that’s when Charlotte Tilbury’s Starry Eyes to Hypnotise eyeshadow palette comes into play. This limited edition item features 12 shades for all kinds of party looks, and will especially come in handy for New Year’s Eve glams. The palette comes in a deep, midnight-blue tone for the yuletide season. Find it at Nordstrom (799 Robson Street). 

       

      Vessi Footwear

      Staying Dry

      Vancouver’s Vessi Footwear is known for its 100-percent waterproof knit sneakers, which have (understandably) become cult-favourite shoes in a city that’s always wet. The three founders of Vessi wanted to keep their feet dry in our rainy weather, without compromising on aesthetics and comfort.  Functional and stylish, they come in three different versatile styles and a handful of neutral shades. Free 2-day express shipping is currently being offered on its website, perfect for the last-minute gift hunters. Find them on Vessi’s website.

       

      Duer

      Locally based performance denim brand, DUER, has come out with some water-resistant jeans that will keep you dry during Vancouver’s rainy days. Its Stay Dry denim can repel dirt and water, keeping you warm and drench-free. Made with materials like cotton and spandex, wearers will find the jeans breathable and comfortable. Find them at DUER (118 West Hastings Street) or on its website.

       

      Lucky Iron Fish

      Wellness Wonders

      2019 has been a year where many have focused on adapting healthier lifestyles, and Canadian social enterprise Lucky Iron Fish recognizes that. Its product, a small iron fish, is a cooking tool that can help individuals and families living with iron deficiency. Using it in liquid-based meals for 10 minutes can add natural iron to your diet, which is more cost-effective than taking other iron supplements. It’s also a gift that keeps on giving: for every purchase made, it will donate a portion of proceeds to support communities living with iron deficiency. This small but mighty stocking stuffer can be found on Lucky Iron Fish’s website.

      Sage

      Our city’s own Sage Natural Wellness is known for its collection of natural remedy products and diffusers, which never fail to make us feel better and calmer. Some of its bestsellers have been given a facelift for the holiday season, such as the limited edition Vancouver Pocket Farmacy. The easy-to-carry pouch features a Vancouver-appropriate foiled print (think Science World, mountains, craft beer, and more), and includes five oil-blend roll-ons. These babies will help fight headaches, germs, and viruses, ease digestion, and reduce stress and pain. They’re sold-out online, but you can try finding them at Sage brick-and-mortar shops (various locations).

      Dyson

      Nice Hair

      When you think of Dyson, its coveted range of vacuums is what usually comes to mind. But its engineering team has also created fans, purifiers, a hairdryer, and the coveted Dyson Airwrap styler, which has been sold out from its launch date until August 2019—for good reason. This all-in-one hair-tool kit can create curls and waves, as well as blow-dry and style without using extreme heat. The different tools are compatible with different hair types, and are easy enough to learn how to use. It might be a splurge, but Dyson claims this kit should last a lifetime if well maintained. Find it on Dyson’s website, or at Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew, Sephora, and the Bay.

      AG Hair

      It’s not hard taking care of skin, but most people tend to forget about giving nutrients to their hair. Canadian brand AG Hair is known for its locally made haircare products that feature natural and often organic ingredients. Its vegan-friendly Natural To-Go kit showcases apple-cider vinegar shampoo and conditioner, coconut-milk conditioning spray, flexible hold spray, and serum made with plant-based ingredients. The compact kit is easy to travel with, and no one can complain about great hair. A portion of every bottle sold supports One Girl Can, a charity that provides educational opportunities to impoverished girls living in sub-Saharan Africa. Find it on AG Hair’s website.

       

      Monos

      Globetrotting in Style

      It’s no secret that Vancouver is home to many cool lifestyle brands, and Monos is the latest to join the crowd. This local company has created a collection of simple but aesthetically pleasing luggages, which come in various carry-on and check-in sizes. A step above department store travel luggage, and more reasonably priced than luxury competitors, Monos’ travel gear will help you roam through different cities in effortless fashion. Made with a polycarbonate shell, ergonomic handles, vegan-leather details, and practical storage compartments, each style also comes with generous amounts space for packing. They come in various photo-worthy shades, such as olive green, blue haze, stellar white, and rose quartz. A limited edition speckled terrazzo print is also available. Find them on Monos’ website.

      Bailey Nelson

      Winter travel usually involves sunny destinations, and Bailey Nelson happens to be a purveyor of chic sunglasses around town. It’s always a good idea to wear shades to protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays, and they can also be fashion statements on its own. One of its latest styles is the Reba, which features a hexagonal shape with metal detailing and cool, titanium arms. Its style doesn’t compromise on comfort, and comes in unique hues like khaki crystal, cookies and cream, and rose. Custom-coloured polarized lenses are also available for an additional cost. Find them at Bailey Nelson (various locations) or on its website.

      Sport Chek

      Travellers often pack plenty of charging cables and wires for smartphones, tablets, cameras, laptops, and more electronic devices. But it’s easy to forget about bringing different adapters to use in other cities. The Eagle Creek USB universal travel adapter pro is a practical gift for the jetsetters in your life. The three-prong adapter can adapt to international devices and work in more than 150 countries. With a dual USB charge and integrated surge overload protection, it’s definitely a small but mighty stocking stuffer. Find it at Sport Chek (various locations) or on its website.

      Galanz

      Cozy Homebodies

      The holidays usually include big parties and loud get-togethers, but some of us might want to stay in our humble abodes and chill out with snacks, Netflix, and Disney+. For the ultimate sofa-lounger, check out the Galanz retro mini refrigerator that would make any living room look extra stylish. It comes in two retro-chrome designs: hot-rod red or vinyl black. The specs feature modern-day appliance technology such as adjustable thermostat control, non-spill sliding glass shelf, and a produce crisper. Store TV-appropriate foods like ice cream, cheese, hummus dips, sodas, and other palate pleasers in this handy mini fridge. Find it at Canadian Tire (various locations) or on its website, or at Home Depot (various locations), or on its website.

       

      Indigo

      Weighted blankets are the latest craze, with benefits like minimizing body movement to promote a deeper sleep, and reducing anxiety. Indigo’s Wellness Weighted Blanket comes in three cozy, neutral shades (pink, grey, and blue), as well as three different weight classes (15, 20, and 25 pounds). This gift is like giving someone a hug, which also features seed-stitched quilting and velvet fabric for a soft and comfy touch. The blanket cover is removable, making it easy to clean and maintain. Find it at Indigo (various locations) or on its website.

      Follow Tammy Kwan on Twitter @ch0c0tam and Instagram @ch0c0tam.

      Comments